Glens Falls High took control of its Class B football East semifinal Saturday at Dietz Stadium against Marlboro with big plays in the first half. The Indians then withstood a comeback by the Dukes to win 28-17.

With the victory, Section 2's Glens Falls (11-1) earned its first berth in the state championship game. The Indians play Maine-Endwell 3 p.m. next Saturday at the Syracuse University Carrier Dome.

Maine-Endwell trounced Alden 49-14 in the West semifinal at Rochester.

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"They hurt us pretty good with the big plays," Marlboro coach Rich Ward said. "The went after it.

"Big plays determine big games. They deserved to win, and hats off to them."

A 65-yard flea flicker pass from quarterback Cam Girard to Jake Dailey stunned the Dukes on the first play of their first defensive series. It came after Section 9 champ Marlboro (11-1) went three and out following the opening kickoff.

The Dukes made one first down on their next possession before punting.

Offensive most valuable player Mike LaNoir caught an 80-yard bomb from Girard on first down, giving the Indians two touchdowns in two plays and a 14-0 lead with 6:41 left in the quarter.

LaNoir broke an 80-yard touchdown run in the third period and threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Joe McMahon in the final quarter.

LaNoir, a standout on the other side of the ball at linebacker, finished with 113 yards rushing on nine carries and caught two passes for 102 yards.

"He's just like Josh Riley of Spackenkill," Marlboro senior Matt Tamburri said. "They have the same kind of size, strength and versatility.

"This kid (LaNoir) might have quicker feet."

Tamburri filled the same Jack-of-all-trades role for the Dukes this season as a receiver, running back and linebacker. There was frustration for Tamburri watching Glens falls take leads of 14-0 and 20-6 before Marlboro rallied within 20-17 in the third period.

"Today we were just coming out to win a game, and it didn't work out," Tamburri said. "On the flea flicker, we had the kid in the backfield but let him get away.

"Our defense didn't play that badly except for the big plays."

Kicker Adam Laubach kept the Dukes in the game with field goals of 50, 34 and 34 yards in the second quarter. Trailing 20-9 at the half, Marlboro played a solid third period.

The defense stopped the Indians on fourth down and 2 at the Marlboro 21. Austin Beck carried five straight times on a 79-yard drive.

After scoring on a 1-yard burst, Beck ran for two points on the conversion to cut the deficit to three.

Laubach edged Beck (108 yards on 14 carries) for team offensive MVP honors. Tamburri was the Dukes' defensive MVP, while Mike Bodine was selected for the sportsmanship award.

"It's pretty bittersweet right now," Ward said. "We wanted to play one more game, and we won't get to do it.

Marlboro won the most games in school history and advanced to the state semifinal for the first time.

"The seniors took this program to a new level," Ward said. "Life goes on.